I don’t know what Bush & Condi & Vlad talk about when the microphones are turned off, but it would hope that the conversation turns to China and Greater Islam, which are the ultimate beneficiaries of these dogfights between Washington and Moscow.

I’m not among those who attribute Original Sin to Russia; Russia was supportive during our Revolution and Civil War. And we in return raised no objections to the Russian Empire enclosing so many nations and peoples. And I don’t now. Given a friendly government–a pipedream today–I’d happily recognize and support Russia’s resuming control over the whole lot. Life would be quieter and safer for the USA.

But this, alas, against common interest and sanity, Russia and the USA seem fated to quarrel. And China to profit.